Posted by Peter MUIR

Posted by Peter MUIR

Issues surrounding of over-reliance on plastic and how this is leading to massive amounts of plastic polluting our waterways have been making headlines. While some of this plastic pollution is obvious, some of how plastic reaches our seas and oceans is not so visible.

One of these is microbeads, where small pieces of plastic used in cosmetic products and toothpaste go down the sink to end up in our waterways. Another, one perhaps less known, are microfibres – small fibres of plastic that are released from synthetic fibres such as polyester when we wash our clothes.

These microfibres are tiny, but can cause major issues. It has been said that microfibres make up about one third of the plastic in our oceans. There is research indicating that plastic microfibers in tap water, with findings indicating 83% of samples were found to be polluted by micro plastics. Other research indicate that out of 20 bottled water brands tested, only one did not contain plastic microfibers.

What can you do as a consumer about this issue? How are you contributing to this? How might you be able to influence the companies who are causing this plastic pollution?

Posted by Peter MUIR

Earth Day, an annual global event that started 22 April 1970, where millions of people took to the streets to protest the negative impacts of 150 years of industrial development, is coming soon – now is the time to start investing / preparing for how you could take action as a part of this event.

Earth Day is considered the largest civic-focused day of action in the world, with an estimated more than 1 billion people in 192 countries taking part.

Earth Day Network, the organization that leads Earth Day worldwide, has announced that Earth Day 2018 will focus on mobilizing the world to End Plastic Pollution, including creating support for a global effort to eliminate single-use plastics along with global regulation for the disposal of plastics.

How could you get involved in Earth Day Network’s End Plastic Pollution campaign? How could you take part in any of the following four major components of the campaign? These are:

Leading a grassroots movement to support the adoption of a global framework to regulate plastic pollution;

Educating, mobilizing and activating citizens across the globe to demand that governments and corporations control and clean up plastic pollution;

Educating people worldwide to take personal responsibility for plastic pollution by choosing to reject, reduce, reuse and recycle plastics, and

Promoting local government regulatory and other efforts to tackle plastic pollution.

Check out these ideas of how you could involved and start planning your involvement today!

Posted by Peter MUIR

HandsOn Hong Kong is looking for a trio of musicians interested in volunteering to play background music at a special art exhibition on the evening of Thursday 26th April. The exhibition will feature artworks by students from the Nesbitt Centre, an NGO that supports English speaking adults with learning difficulties. This is a perfect opportunity for a group of student musicians! Contact Nancy@handsonhongkong.org asap for more details.

Posted by Peter MUIR

In 2012 the United Nations established March 20 as the International Day of Happiness. People are now recognising that ‘progress’ should be about increasing human happiness and wellbeing, not just growing the economy.

What could you do to help make the people around you happy? How might you investigate, prepare and then act on this topic?

Each year Live Happy runs a a campaign to spread happiness around the globe. Take a look at their website for ideas of how you might get involved. Other ideas can be found on the Day of Happiness website, provided by Action for happiness.

Posted by Peter MUIR

Are you passionate about environmental sustainability? Are you looking to develop your leadership skills and a scientific mindset?

Here is your chance to not only build a greener future, but also develop pathways to future careers with real-world experience.

Nature Works Hong Kong Leadership Program 2018 provides a platform that connects students to work on a common vision to solve environmental issues within their communities and schools. The data-backed and student-led solutions also help schools articulate the business case for environmental improvements, which can be used to evolve the project by future cohorts.

This program is open to all Hong Kong students aged 13-17 and has been evaluated by industry experts. Participating schools put forward a team of 3 – 5 students, who have the following skills and interests to join the program and represent their school:
– Quantitative Analysis
– Physics and Materials Science
– Biology and Environmental Science
– Research and Social Science

This will see teams working on real issues, aiming to help make DC a greener school!

Please speak to some peers about joining a team, then speak to Mr Muir as soon as possible. Registration fees will not be charged to DC teams. More details can be found on the event website or on this promotional video.

Posted by Peter MUIR

Join teens from around the globe in this challenge to create a better world! Learn about social justice issues, gain tools and skills to solve them, and be part of a community of changemakers while representing Discovery College. You will be guided by the event organisers to help tackle big problems with innovation and creativity. Are you ready to be the change you wish to see?

This event is open to teams of 2-5 students aged 13-18. You will be required to complete a short online course, where you’ll learn about real-world issues that face our planet (affecting people, animals, and the environment). Next, you’ll decide on a problem to tackle with your team. The rest of the course provides valuable problem-solving skills and guides you through the design thinking process to create a project that solves a real world problem.

Throughout the course you will have the chance to connect and share ideas with students from all over the world, through our online discussion forum and weekly Google hangouts. You’ll also receive support from experts in the field who volunteer as virtual mentors.

​In June, teams will submit their final projects. Projects will be evaluated by a team of judges, and finalists will be selected. If your team is selected as a finalist, you’ll be invited to pitch your idea to venture capitalists and philanthropists to win funding for your project!

Posted by Peter MUIR

If you enjoy sport, why not get some training in referring? not only will you be supporting community sport, it will also provide you will skill and expertise that could at a later stage provide an employment opportunity.

The Hong Kong Schools Rugby Union are looking for Youth Referees to support the upcoming D Grade Boys & Girls Tournaments. Knowledge of the game would be beneficial but not required.

Posted by Peter MUIR

This year DC will be hosting The Race, Hong Kong’s premier international Primary school running event, which presents an opportunity to spread awareness ro raise funds for a particular cause that they are involved in.

The Race 2018 is a running race for Year 3 – 6 students. Lots of schools will be involved, with teachers and parents from schools attending. It will take place at DC, Siena Park and the Foreshore on Saturday 10 March 8.00am – 12.30pm

If you are keen to host a booth, organise activities, sell some products or have an idea for something similar, then please email Mr Wilkinson as soon as possible – lawrence.wilkinson@dc.edu.hk

Posted by Peter MUIR

Ark Eden is offering an opportunity for students to be trained as an activity leader for their eco-camps. Participants will be trained to manage and lead eco-activities with groups of young children (aged 5 – 11 years) who will attend Ark Eden Holiday Eco-Camps at Easter and Summer. Skills that you will acquire include:

Leadership

Management

Team work and communication

Effective teaching and learning methods

Elements of safety required in transporting and managing groups of young children